Spring is here!
(The season of more!)
Spring is a great season for pets! The days are longer and warmer, which means more playtime outside. Whether they are chasing balls or bugs, they get more exercise and simply get to have more fun! However, the more that pets are outside, the greater the chance that they may wander off or get lost. Identification is one more way to keep your pets safe and healthy in the spring and year-round. We recommend microchips for dogs, as well as cats! Countless pets are quickly reunited with their owners when they are identified with a microchip. Call for an appointment today to have a microchip implanted in your pets. Another form of identification is a pet I.D. tag. Red Dingo offers a wide variety of personalized pet I.D. tags in lots of fun designs. Click on the link below to view the patterns and then order your favorite the next time you are in Harbor Animal Hospital.
Spring can also be a frustrating season for pet owners. It can mean more parasites and, for some pets, more allergies. Here are some symptoms to watch for to ensure that your pet can enjoy spring even more.
Allergies:
Just like with people, the symptoms of allergies can vary from pet to pet. As pollen counts rise, pets can experience more allergic reactions. And, the body’s allergic response can put the pet at a greater risk for bacterial infections. Some things to watch for include, but are not limited to:
- Skin allergies – Itchy, red or irritated skin – Your pet may be scratching or chewing on themselves in response to a skin allergy.
- Ear allergies – Itchy, red or irritated ears – Your pet may be scratching at its ears, frequently shaking its head, or may hold its ear(s) differently. You may also notice a foul odor coming from their ears.
- Upper respiratory allergies – Pets can display similar symptoms as their two legged companions with “seasonal allergies”. You may notice red, irritated or runny eyes, sneezing or nasal discharge.
If your pet displays any of these symptoms, or any others that you may be concerned about, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for an exam.
Parasites:
This year’s winter was unusually mild and warm in the Pacific Northwest. As a result, we will most likely see a more parasites, especially fleas, this spring. Some pets are very sensitive to fleas and will be very uncomfortable, even if they have only one or two. Other pets can be covered with fleas and show little or no symptoms at all. If you are unsure whether or not your pet has fleas, try grooming your pet with a flea comb, focusing on the area above the pet’s tail. Take the debris from the flea comb (flea “dirt” appears to be little bits of black sand) and add a drop or two of water. If the water turns red or pink, your pet has fleas. Besides being quite aggravating, fleas can carry and infest your pet with Tapeworms. Prevention of fleas is better than waiting until your pet has a flea problem. At Harbor Animal Hospital, we offer 3 flea products for dogs and 2 for cats. Click on the links below for more details.
Dogs – Comfortis http://www.comfortis4dogs.com/
Dogs and Cats – Advantage http://www.nofleas.com/
Frontline Plus http://frontline.us.merial.com/fle.asp
Visit our office soon to pick up your preferred flea treatment product.
Spring can also mean more vacations for your family. If your pet will be going to a local boarding facility, it is best to plan ahead. It is recommended that pets be vaccinated at least 2-4 weeks prior to a possible exposure. Please call the office if you are unsure of your pet’s vaccine status. If your pet is overdue, we can schedule an appointment, as soon as possible, for vaccine updates.